Improvement in hot-air furnaces



T. YATES.

Hot-Ai r Furnaces.

Patented March 25, 1873.,

vFFILE.

THEODORE YATES, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

-IM'PROVEMENT IN HOT-AIR FURNACES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 137,277, dated March 25, 1873.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THEODORE YATES, of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain Improvements in Hot-Air Furnaces, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to improvements more especially applicable to upright furnaces; and it consists in constructing a conical fire-grate with a closed or solid central portion extending as high or higher than the top of the firepot, and in introducing air through the apex of the cone above the lire; in combining with the grate a pipe which supplies air from outside, and at the same time serves as a ventilator for the room; in a novel manner of mounting and operating the grate; and in extending the smoke-fines downward within the chambers, to retard the escape of the smoke and gases.

Figure l is a vertical central section through my furnace, and Fig. 2 is a similar section through a modification thereof.

A represents the ashpit or base; B, the grate; G, a transverse rock-shaft supporting the grate; D, the fire-pot; E, the body; F,

- smoke-fines extending upward from the body;

G, a drum or radiator, into which the flues F discharge; and H, the smokepipe leadingfrom the drum to the chimney or other outlet. The base A, which may be made of any shape desired, is provided with an opening in its top to receive the grate, with a groove, at, around said opening to receive the lower edge of the fire-pot, and with two sockets or bearings, b, to receive the ends of the rock-shaft O. The grate B is made of a conical form, with a narrow edge or belt, 0, turned out horizontally around its lower edge or base. The horizontal portion 0, and the lower edge of the conical portion, are grated or perforated in the ordinary manner to permit the upward passage of air and the escape of ashes; but the remainder of the conical portion, d, is left solid or tight so as toprevent any draft through the fuel in the center of the fire-pot.

It will be seen that owing to this construction of the grate the only draft is through its outer edge, and that combustion will only take place in the outer part of the fire-pot close to the Wall or side thereof. The mass of fuel in the center is only ignited as it works downward and outward and takes the place of that which is consumed at the outside. It will thus be seen that the mass of fuel in the center over the solid or closed portion of the grate answers as a reserve supply to take the place of that which is consumed, and that consequently my furnace answers to a certain extent the same purpose of the common magazine base-burners.

In order the more effectually to prevent the fuel at the center from igniting, the body E is made much larger than the fire-pot, and the flues- F located at its outside, so that the draft is outward over the upper edge of the fire-pot, as indicated by the arrows in the drawing.

In order to promote the combustion, and to prevent the products thereof from passing out unconsumed, the apex of the grate is provided with an opening to admit an additional supply of air directly into the body above the fuel. The air may be taken from the ash-pit or in troduced by means of a pipe, I, from outside of the furnace. The airpipe I may be con nected with or passed through the apex of the grate, as shown in Fig. 1, or it may be simply arranged to discharge under or within the cone, as in Fig. 2.

When arranged as in Fig. 1, it should be pro vided with a loose joint or elbow, in order that its upper end may swing over when the grate is tilted. When arranged as in Fig. 2 it is found desirable to arrange a second cone, L, concentrically within the other, with an air-space between the two, and to take the air from within the inner cone, as shown. The arrangement shown in Fig. 1 serves as a very efficient means of ventilating the apartment into which the pipe may open.

When the parts are arranged as in Fig. 2, the current upward through the center serves to prevent dust from escaping into the room when the ashes are being shaken down. The grate is provided across its base with a bar, 9!, which is mounted on a pivot or stud, h, on the rock= shaft, as shown. This arrangement permits the grate to rotate horizontally, and also to tilt over sidewise. The grate is provided on oppositesides with two depending eyes, It, through which there is inserted a rod, M, the forward end of which extends out through a slot in the front of the ash-pit. This rod serves to hold the grate in its proper position, and also as a means by which to rotate the grate horizontally in order to shake down the ashes. By withdrawing the rod the grate maybe released so that it can tilt over sidewise. WVhen the rod is drawn out such distance that it engages only in the outer or forward eye of the grate, it serves as a means by which to tilt the grate and to bring it back in position again.

By the above arrangement of parts the grate may be operated with great ease and convenience. The arrangement is cheap, simple, and strong, and, unlike most of those now in use,

is not liable to be rendered inoperative by coal or cinders Wedging therein.

In order to retard the escape of the smoke and other products so that perfect combustion may take place, and that the heat may be radiated instead of passing off to the chimney, the smoke-fines are all extended downward within the chambers from which they lead, as shown. The smoke, gases, 850., rise to the tops of the chambers, and are then compelled to descend again before they can enter the lines and escape. A portion of the products will, of course, pass directly into the fines, but a long and thorough test of the arrangementhas demonstrated that by far the larger portion ascends first to the top of the chamber.

Having described my invention, what Iclaim 1s-- 1 The conical grate B, constructed substantially as described, with an opening at its apex to admit air directly above the fuel, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination with the grate construct ed substantially as described, the air-pipe I, extending outside of the furnace, as and for the purposes described.

3. The combination of the grate provided with the cross-bar g and eyes It, the rock-shaft 0 provided with the pivot h, and the rod M, arranged to operate as described.

4. The smoke-fines extending downward Within the chambers, as shown and described, forthe purpose of retarding the escape of the smoke and gases, as set forth.

THEODORE YATES.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. RIESS, JAMES G. FLANDERs. 

